Award Winner Details – 2015

Winners

Employee Awareness Ashford Castle

Award sponsored by: Environmental Protection Agency

Ashford Castle realises that to maximise their potential they need to educate their team across all aspects of the business. As part of this team development they have created a green team that meets monthly and they have incorporated a Green Business presentation as part of induction for all new employees. Employees are also trained in the Red Carnation Hotels “Creating a Greener RCH and you”

Part of the induction pack now includes a sheet for green ideas, staff members take these away with other forms that are to be completed then returned to Human resources.

These forms have proved a valuable source of ideas and have seen the installation of an electric car charger, all take away items are now served in compostable cups and wrappers and the hotel is looking into keeping Bees on the estate.

Energy Management Woodlands House Hotel

Award sponsored by: CBL Equipment

The Hotel had achieved a decrease in Electricity usage of 507,290 Kilowatt Hours over the last 24 months. This was achieved through some simple areas such as LED lighting, Aeration pumps for waste water treatment plant to some more complicated areas like CHP expansion and Glycol Refrigeration System for the bar and kitchen.

Senior Management has embraced the change in culture arising from a great understanding of the business’s energy. Management are now able to monitor energy (electricity, gas and water) consumption on a daily and monthly basis thanks to reports generated by Resourcekraft and an Internal Energy Intern.

Green Festival Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann – Sligeach 2015

Award sponsored by: Cistermiser

Green Fleadh 2015, an integral part Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann Sligeach 2015 more than doubled the percentage by weight of waste recycled during the Fleadh, 16% to 35%, in one year, by building on the initiatives implemented in 2014 and introducing some new ones.

A partnership approach between the FEC, Sligo LA, Tidy Towns, the business and wider community in Sligo made this happen. A Green Fleadh Aware Campaign for the Hospitality Sector along with volunteers actively encouraging recycling were some of the many initiatives involved. It has provided a template for Waste Management for all future Festivals in Sligo.

Green Marketing Sandymount Hotel

Award sponsored by: WEEE Ireland

The Sandymount Hotel is committed to Greening their day-to-day operations and they believe that their “Greenness” in an integral part of their identity. They have integrated their message throughout the marketing literature – both within the hotel and on corporate literature and on the hotel website.

The hotels courtesy bus proudly displays the Green Hospitality logo as well. The hotel has taken on board most of the GHP messages and advice and are constantly looking to develop their message further.

Packaging Reduction Guinness Storehouse

Award sponsored by: REPAK

The Guinness Storehouse Retail Store is the Global Flagship Store for Guinness merchandise. Stocking apparel, Gift Wear, Food and seasonal items. As a retail business large amounts of waste is generated in product packaging. In order to ensure our commitment to sustainability, GSH retail took the initiative in reducing and reusing packaging in line with our purpose to create the most trusted and respected visitor attraction in the world. Examples of actions taken include:

Introduced a “bag for Life”, now one of our top selling accessories!

Bubble wrap virtually eliminated from packaging.

Cardboard boxes reused to transport hangers back to suppliers.

Responsible Activity Tralee Bay Wetlands

Award sponsored by: Calor Gas

Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre was purposely developed as an innovative and sustainable visitor attraction, for the South West of Ireland. It was designed and developed to the highest international standards. The project, costing €4.5m to develop, was jointly funded by Tralee Town Council and Fáilte Ireland under the National Development Plan (2007-2013).

The project is unique in Ireland and is leading the way in the vastly expanding eco-tourism market in Kerry. It is strategically located on the gateway to the Dingle Peninsula, along the Wild Atlantic Way and greatly enhances the visitor product offering in Tralee.

Responsible Irish Breakfast Sea View House Guesthouse

Award sponsored by; Bailey Hygiene

At Sea View House we have put together a menu of low food mile dish’s using local produce sourced mostly in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.

These include eggs from our farmyard chickens, cheese and smoked fish from the Burren, seaweeds, and home-grown garden produce. Our menu indicates the components and food miles of each dish and the provenance of each component is explained during serving.

Our Guest’s are delighted with our new menu and generally choose a dish with very low food miles. This has added bonus of reducing our food costs while increasing guest satisfaction

Responsible Tourism Destination Dromoland Castle

Award sponsored by; Fáilte Ireland

Dromoland Castle is a prestigious 5 star castle hotel with impressive grounds and natural resources. The “Biodiversity” project commenced in 2015 with the aim of developing “soft adventure” tourism involving walking, observing and experiencing nature on the estate to complement the existing offerings of the hotel and golf course.

Under the expert guidance of Blackstairs Eco Trails five habitats were recognised and short, medium and long term goals identified. Four walks, two of which are now completed and several information leaflets were designed for our guests. Other proposals involve planting to attract more bumblebee and butterfly species.

Sustainable Menu Joint Winners – Hotel Doolin & Cliffs of Moher Cafe

Award sponsored by; Bord Bia

The Burren and Co Clare are at the forefront of sustainability in Irish Tourism and these 2 restaurants epitomise how the best of Local & Irish Produce can be presented to customers in extremely busy locations.

We could not pick a winner from these two so decided to give 2 awards in this category

Waste Reduction Guinness Storehouse

Award sponsored by; Unilever – Wise up on Waste

In 2013 Guinness Storehouse segregated 98% of waste away from landfill. No mean feat when considering our footfall in what is now recognised as Europe’s leading visitor attraction!

But in line with our purpose to create the most trusted and respected visitor attraction in the world, this wasn’t enough; we strived to achieve continual improvement and set the industry benchmark of ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’.

Through engagement with staff, visitors and stakeholders, this was achieved in January 2015 and has continued to this date, diverting as much as 4 tonnes away from landfill this year compared to 24 months ago!

Innovation by Suppliers

Castle Chafer

The Castle Chafer from CBL Equipment is a waterless chafing dish that is totally portable and 75% more efficient than current portable chafing dishes. The Castle Chafer’s heat source and patented dish is capable of maintaining a temperature in the food pan of 60° – 140° according to the chef’s requirements.

The Castle Chafer may also be used as a cooler unit, either by pre-freezing the entire dish or with the addition of ice.

At Delphis Eco we manufacture award winning ecological cleaning chemical. We are the only company to exclusively manufacture ecological products and nothing else.

We were the first in the UK to get the EU Ecolabel accreditation for cleaning products and have the largest accredited product range available. Our commitment to sustainable cleaning has seen us become the first chemical company to partner with Keep Britain Tidy and Eco-Schools and the Sustainable Restaurant Association.

Our vision is to be the world’s leading innovator of ecological cleaning products. We ensure every aspect of our model has the best possible solutions for the end user whilst maintaining our eco-friendly, green attitude.

And now on to the Green Hospitality special award

GHP.ie Member of the Year

Member of the Year 2015

Sandymount Hotel

The Sandymount Hotel Green Team is led by Ruth Cooper with the support of her owners, the Loughran Family, and the management and staff of the hotel.

Over the past few years they have implemented and maintained improvements within the hotel that have resulted in major reductions in Waste, Water and Energy. As noted earlier today they are also proud to communicate their commitment and activities to their customers at every available opportunity.

However, they recognise that there is always more that can be done and have an active plan for 2015/2016 and GHP looks forward to supporting their actions in whatever way we can.